Sunday, 2 June 2013

Protesters claim win as police leave Istanbul square.

Paramilitary police officers stand at the entrance of a road leading to the prime minister office asTurkish protesters clash with security forces in Ankara, Turkey.—Photo by AP

ISTANBUL | 02 June 2013:: Thousands of protesters in Istanbul were celebrating victory early Sunday after police withdrew from the square at the center of one of the largest demonstrations against Turkey’s Islamist-rooted government.

Rights groups denounced police violence, with Amnesty International saying that there had been two deaths, while Turkey’s Western allies Britain and the United States called on the government to show restraint.

Taksim Square has become the epicentre of demonstrations that have left dozens injured — hundreds according to Amnesty, which also said some protesters had been left blinded by the tear gas used by police.

Late on Saturday however, the protesters danced and sang in the square after the police pull-back, some even launching fireworks in celebration.